•The band have released 16 albums so far, with the most recent being the Book Of Souls. a critical and commercial success, it topped the album charts in 24 countries.

Iron Maiden fans watch as Ed Force One takes off in Germany in June 2016 (Image: TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP/Getty Images)

•Singer Bruce Dickinson isn't just one of the all-time great metal vocalists, he's a qualified pilot (flying the band to gigs on their Ed Force One private jet), a novelist, a broadcaster and a talented fencer who was once ranked seventh in Britain.

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•He was also expelled from boarding school for peeing in the headmaster's dinner.

Steve Harris (Image: Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

•Steve Harris had a trial for his beloved West Ham as a teenager, but gave up his football dreams for rock. He still keeps his oar in though, playing for the Maiden football team, who's home games used to be played in the full-size pitch in his garden.

•Since their self-titled debut album Iron Maiden was released in 1980, the band have gone on to sell nearly 100 million albums worldwide. That's 100 MILLION.

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•Maiden's mascot Eddie the Head has been a staple of their record covers and stage shows from the very early days. Originally just a blood-spewing mask at the back of the stage, he's now as iconic as any of the band, with entire stage set ups dedicated to showing him in new ways reflecting the latest album covers. Artist Derek Riggs came up with the idea after seeing a decapitated head on a Vietnamese tank.

•Martin Birch, the producer was involved in a serious car accident while recording their classic Number Of The Beast album. when he received the repair bill it was for £666. He refused to pay until they stuck another quid on it.

•Iron Maiden are still one of the hardest-working bands in metal and have played over well over 2000 shows in their long career and have no plans to call it a day any time soon...